Keep West Sussex Safe

Actions to take

Hand washing

Wash your hands with soap and water more often than usual, for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available.

You should always wash your hands or use hand sanitiser after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, before you eat or handle food, or when you get to work or arrive home.

Social distancing

Keep two metres away from people, or at least one metre when you can take other precautions, such as wearing a face covering or not sitting face-to-face with someone.

See the GOV.UK website for information about:

Face coverings

If you can, wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

You must wear a face covering at all times on public transport, when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient and when in shops and supermarkets.

Face coverings do not replace social distancing.

Further information on when you need to wear face coverings, exemptions, and how to make your own face covering can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Test and trace

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested. You can also visit NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) or call 119.

Symptoms include a new continuous cough, a high temperature, a loss of or change in your sense of taste or smell.

If you develop these symptoms, however mild, or you have received a positive COVID-19 test result, you should immediately self-isolate stay at home for at least ten days from when your symptoms started.

All other household members must stay at home and not leave the house for ten days.

If you are self-isolating and in need of support, please get in touch with our community hub.

NHS COVID-19 app

We’re encouraging all residents to download the new NHS COVID-19 app to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The app allows you to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, and check into venues by simply scanning a QR code.

Businesses, such as restaurants and pubs, are legally required to display a QR code poster for you to scan.

This means if people visit the venue and later test positive for coronavirus, other app users who were there at the same time may be sent an alert, if necessary.

The app does this while protecting your anonymity. Nobody, including the Government, will know who or where a particular user is. Instead, your postcode district (the first part of your postcode) helps the app work out where the virus is spreading.

Without a vaccine or treatment, we all need to do everything we can to help stop the spread of coronavirus. The new app is an important part of the Government’s programme. By downloading and using the app, you’ll be helping to protect those around you - friends, family, colleagues and local communities.

COVID-19 vaccination scam alert

We are aware that some people are receiving suspicious calls and text messages offering the COVID-19 vaccination.

To protect yourself and your family members from fraud and criminals, remember the following points:

The vaccine is only available on the NHS for free to people in priority groups and the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. Anyone offering a paid-for vaccine is committing a crime
The NHS will never ask you to press a button on your keypad or send a text to confirm you want the vaccine and will never ask for payment or for your bank details
At the moment, we are not making house calls to deliver or discuss the vaccine. Anyone offering this now is committing a crime.

If you receive a call you believe to be fraudulent, hang up. If you believe you have been the victim of fraud or identity theft you should report this directly to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Where the victim is vulnerable, report it to Sussex Police online or by phoning 101.

Translations

The following documents provide these key messages in another language:

Frequently asked questions

Take a look at the frequently asked questions we have been receiving about local outbreaks, lockdowns and keeping safe.

Find out how you can help keep West Sussex safe and prevent new outbreaks.